Ivanka Trump to speak at CES

The 2020 edition of major consumer technology tradeshow CES is preparing to welcome 175,000 industry specialists to 11 official venues in Las Vegas when it kicks off tomorrow, 7 January.

The main talking point on the eve of the show – which attractions next-generation innovations - was the controversial invitation to Ivanka Trump to deliver a keynote on ‘The Path to the Future of Work’.

The President’s daughter and adviser will take to the stage on 7 January, with Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of show organiser Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

They will discuss employer-led strategies to reskill workers, create apprenticeships and develop K-12 STEM education programmes.

“CES has consistently proven to be one of the most influential technology events in the world and I am excited to join this year for a substantive discussion on the how the government is working with private sector leaders to ensure American students and workers are equipped to thrive in the modern, digital economy,” said Ms Trump.

In her advisory role, Ms Trump focuses on the economic empowerment of women and their families, skills-training and workforce development. Her work includes serving as Co-Chair of the National Council for the American Worker with US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, which helps shape administration efforts to develop a competitive workforce for the future.

“As a business leader and entrepreneur, Ivanka Trump is an advocate for creating family-sustaining jobs through workforce development, education and skills training,” said Shapiro. “We welcome her to the CES keynote stage, as she shares her vision for technology’s role in creating and enabling the workforce of the future.”

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In 2019, CTA signed the White House’s Pledge to America’s Workers, committing to the creation of nearly 400,000 new worker training opportunities in the next five years. Also last year, CTA released its latest Future of Work survey of tech sector business leaders, showing 68% plan to retain their workers by offering reskilling programmes.

Ms Trump joins other confirmed CES keynote speakers including Samsung President and CEO of Consumer Electronics Division Mr. Hyun-Suk Kim; Daimler Chairman Ola Källenius; Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian; NBCUniversal Chairman of Advertising and Partnerships Linda Yaccarino, Quibi CEO Meg Whitman and Founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, Salesforce Chairman and co-CEO Marc Benioff and Unilever CEO Alan Jope.

More than 1,100 visionaries and thought leaders are expected to speak and share insights on premiere technologies at CES 2020.

Shapiro defended Ivanka Trump against critics who questioned her credentials for delivering the Day 1 keynote, saying she had done "great work". Critics said other women with more expertise had failed to be granted lower-profile slots at the trade show.

"There's a lot of focus on jobs of the future, and certainly the keynote that I'll be doing with Ivanka Trump will be focusing on... how industry is working with government on this very important issue," said Shapiro, who did not explain whether her appearance had been his organisation's idea or if the White House had requested it.

Critics of Ms Trump have been active on Twitter using the hashtag #BoycottCES. CES regular attendee Carolina Milanesi from tech consultancy Creative Strategies said: “There are many more women who are in tech and are entrepreneurs who could run circles around Trump on how technology will impact the future of work.”

Tech entrepreneur Mark Cuban, reported the BBC, replied to the BBC request for comment by saying: “I don't care one way or another. No one has to go to her keynote if they don't want to.”

A history of CES

The first CES took place in New York City in June 1967. Many of the products showcased have helped transform our lives, including: